The Walt Disney Company and its ABC television unit have sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), accusing the agency of trying to punish the network for programming and journalism opposed by President Donald Trump. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, asks a judge to block an early FCC review of the broadcast licenses held by eight Disney-owned ABC stations. Disney alleges that the administration, acting through the commission, has pursued a “retaliatory campaign” against ABC because it disapproves of what the network broadcasts.
The dispute places Disney alongside a series of media organizations and journalists that have challenged Trump, his administration, or lawsuits he filed against them. Some secured permanent dismissals or appellate victories, while others obtained preliminary orders that temporarily blocked the government’s actions. "The lawsuit makes clear that this campaign has already chilled ABC’s speech.
The First Amendment prohibits the government from using regulatory threats to chill speech that the government doesn’t like, which is exactly what the FCC is doing here," Fallow said. Newsweek reached out to the FCC for comment. Disney deferred to its complaint.
Disney’s case could test the extent to which an administration may use the FCC’s licensing authority in a dispute involving protected speech. The eight licenses at issue were not due for renewal for several years when the FCC initiated an early review. Disney argues that the timing and circumstances show the process is intended to pressure a network that has refused to comply with the administration’s demands.
The FCC has also scrutinized ABC's diversity policies and programming, including The View. The lawsuit asks the court to halt the review on First Amendment grounds. "This case boils down to a simple question: can the Administration use its control over the federal regulatory apparatus to punish a media organization for editorial decisions and news coverage it dislikes?" Disney's motion for a temporary restraining order read.
"Because the First Amendment provides a clear answer—of course not—this Court’s intervention is necessary to stop the Federal Communications Commission’s extraordinary assault on free speech." In a statement shared with , the FCC said, "All broadcasters have a legal obligation to operate in the public interest—even Disney. The FCC has been examining claims that Disney engaged in illegal DEI discrimination for over a year. "Disney is obviously very concerned about the FCC's proceeding, as evidenced by their ongoing campaign of disinformation as well as their decision to ask a court to stop the FCC from further pursuing matters," the spokesperson said.
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